Immigration debate fuels Latino activism

A new poll by the National Association of Latino Appointed and Elected Officials is the latest survey to find this year’s heated immigration debate is energizing Hispanic voters.

A NALEO news release states that the survey of 1,600 Latino registered voters in four states – California, Colorado, Florida and Texas — found that “an overwhelming majority (61 percent) of Latino registered voters surveyed say they will definitely vote in the November midterm elections; this despite historically low voter participation in off-year elections.”

The intensity of this year’s debate was spawned by the controversial Arizona law that instructs state law enforcement officials to check the immigration status of people suspected of other crimes. Immigration laws are a federal law enforcement issue in other states. Critics say the law will lead to racial profiling while supporters dispute that assertion and maintain that it tracks federal law.

The NALEO survey found that “the current debate around the issue of immigration is playing a significant role in the political decisions of registered Latino voters, including increasing the likelihood of voting and influencing their selection of candidate.”

If the poll is correct, it is bad news for Gov. Rick Perry. Of the 400 Hispanic Texans interviewed, 58 percent said they will definitely vote this year, and 61 percent said they will vote for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White.

Perry has tried to distance himself from the Arizona law while not angering his conservative base. His efforts apparently aren’t convincing Hispanics to support him.